TIP OF THE WEEK

There are many factors that influence when a child reaches certain developmental milestones. Use this timeline to know what to expect in the first year.

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3.18.10 1.2 Million Graco Recalls Harmony™ High Chairs Due to Fall HazardThe U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Graco Children's Products Inc., of Atlanta, Ga. has annouced voluntary recall of 1.2 million Graco Harmony™ High Chairs because of a fall hazard to children. The screws holding the front legs of the high chair can loosen and fall out and/or the plastic bracket on the rear legs can crack causing the high chair to become unstable and tip over unexpectedly.

This recall involves all Harmony™ High Chairs. The Harmony™ high chair was manufactured from November 2003 through December 2009 and is no longer in production. For a full list of model numbers included in this recall visit cpsc.gov. The high chairs were sold at AAFES, Burlington Coat Factory, Babies "R" Us, Toys "R" Us, Sears, Target, Target.com, Walmart, WalMart.com, Shopko, USA Baby, and other retailers nationwide from December 2003 through March 2010 for between $70 and $120.

To order a free repair kit, contact Graco toll-free at (877) 842-3206 or visit the firm's Web site at www.gracobaby.com. For additional information, contact Graco at (800) 345-4109 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday. Visit cpsc.gov for more information including model numbers and photographs of the high chair.

2.10.10 Britax Recalls Strollers Due to Risk of Fingertip Amputations and LacerationsThe U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with Britax announced a voluntary recall of about 14,000 Britax “Blink” Umbrella Strollers. The stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers and contact Britax to receive free stroller hinge covers. For additional information, contact Britax toll-free at (888) 427-4829 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.BlinkRecall.com. To view serial numbers of all strollers involved in the recall visit, cpsc.gov.

2.9.10 Generation 2 Worldwide and “ChildESIGNS” Drop Side Crib Brands Recalled; Three Infant Deaths ReportedThe U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is announcing the recall of all Generation 2 Worldwide and “ChildESIGNS” drop side cribs. Due to the fact that Generation 2 went out of business in 2005 the CPSC has limited information about the cribs.

The CPSC does not know the total number of units distributed or the years of production, it is believed that there were more than 500,000 of these cribs sold to consumers. However, all Generation 2 Worldwide and “ChildESIGNS” drop side cribs are included in this recall, including those with other model numbers. The name “Generation 2 Worldwide” appears on a label affixed to the crib’s headboard or footboard. Some labels identify the place of manufacture as Dothan, Ala. Others identify China as the country of manufacture. The name “ChildESIGNS” appears on the teething rail of some of the cribs.

The crib’s plastic hardware can break which can cause the drop side of the crib to detach from a corner of the crib. When the drop side detaches, it creates a space into which an infant or toddler can roll and become wedged or entrapped. When a child is entrapped between the drop side and the crib mattress, it creates a risk of suffocation or strangulation. In addition, the crib’s mattress support can detach from the crib frame, creating a hazardous space in which an infant or toddler could become entrapped and suffocate or strangle.

CPSC staff urges parents and caregivers to stop using these cribs immediately and find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Do not attempt to fix these cribs. For more to more information but this recall please visit, cpsc.gov.

1.20.10 Graco recalls strollers due to Fingertip Amputation and Laceration HazardsThe U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in cooperation with Graco announced a voluntary recall of 1.5 million strollers and travel systems. This recalls involves Graco’s Passage™, Alano™ and Spree™ Strollers and Travel Systems. To view the full list of model numbers involved in the recall visit cpsc.gov. The strollers were sold at AAFES, Burlington Coat Factory, Babies “R” Us, Toys “R” Us, Kmart, Fred Meyer, Meijers, Navy Exchange, Sears, Target, Walmart and other retailers nationwide from October 2004 and December 2009 for between $80 and $90 for the strollers and between $150 and $200 for the travel systems.

The hinges on the stroller’s canopy pose a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is opening or closing the canopy. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers and contact Graco to receive a free protective cover repair kit. For additional information, contact Graco at (800) 345-4109 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.gracobaby.com.

1.19.10 Dorel Asia Recalls To Replace Cribs; Pose Strangulation and Suffocation HazardsThe U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Dorel Asia SRL, of Barbados, is announcing a voluntary recall to replace drop side and non-drop side cribs. The recalls includes about 635,000 cribs sold at K-Mart, Sears and Wal-Mart stores nationwide from January 2005 through December 2009 for between $120 and $700. For a list of model numbers included in this recall visit cpsc.gov.

The drop side hardware can fail causing the drop side to detach from the crib. When the drop side detaches it creates a space in which an infant or toddler can become entrapped and suffocate or strangle. In addition, the recalled cribs can pose a serious entrapment and strangulation hazard when a slat is damaged. This can occur while the crib is in use, in storage, being put together, taken apart or reassembled; or during shipping and handling. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs, find an alternative safe sleeping environment for your child, and contact Dorel Asia to receive a free replacement kit. Call Dorel Asia toll-free at (866) 762-2304 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.dorel-asia.com.

1.13.10 FDA Issues Consumer Alert on HAPPYTOT Stage 4 and Some HAPPYBABY Stage 1 & Stage 2 Baby FoodsThe FDA is recommending that the public not consume any varieties of HAPPYTOT Stage 4 and certain varieties of HAPPYBABY Stage 1 and Stage 2 baby foods in pouches distributed by Nurture Inc. The firm is recalling these products because some pouches are leaking or swollen. Swollen or leaking pouches may indicate problems with the product, including possible contamination by bacteria that can cause illness, or that the packaging has been compromised and is at risk of bacterial contamination. Consumers are advised to discard the products in a way that will keep people and pets from retrieving them, and should wash their hands thoroughly after handling the packages. Store personnel who handle products involved in the company recall should wash their hands thoroughly after handling packages of these products.

To determine if a specific product is part of this recall, consumers should examine product packaging for expiration date codes between October 2010 and January 2011. These expiration date codes are printed as the first seven characters of a 15-character string. For a full list of the products recalled visit the fda.gov

Consumers who have served or consumed these products and become ill should contact their health providers immediately and report that to their FDA district office and to the company. For more information visit fda.gov.

12.18.09 The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are recalling 447,000 Infant Car Seats

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in cooperation with Dorel Juvenile Group Inc., of Columbus, Ind. announced a recall of Dorel Infant Car Seat/Carriers. This recall involves Safety 1st, Cosco, Eddie Bauer and Disney branded infant car seat/carriers with the following model numbers and that were manufactured from January 6, 2008 through April 6, 2009. The model number and manufacture date are located on a label on the side of the car seat/carrier. They were sold with Travel Systems. The stroller portion of the travel system is not affected by this recall. The car seats were sold at department and juvenile product stores nationwide from January 2008 through December 2009 for between $120 and $220.

When used as an infant carrier, the child restraint handle to the seat can loosen and come off, posing a fall hazard to infants. Dorel has received 77 reports of the child restraint handle fully or partially coming off the car seat/carrier resulting in at least three injuries to infants including bumps, bruises and a head injury.

Consumers should not use the handle of the car seat/carrier until the repair kit has been installed. The product can continue to be used as a car seat when properly installed in the vehicle. Contact Dorel Juvenile Group to receive a free repair kit. For additional information, contact Dorel Juvenile Group at (866) 762-3316 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at www.djgusa.com/safety_notice.

For photos, list of model numbers, and additional information visit the CPSC's website.

12.15.09 The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are recalling 800,000 batches of Sanofi Pasteur manufactured H1N1 vaccine for children.The CDC recalled 800,000 kids' swine flu vaccine doses made by Sanofi Pasteur. The agency stresses that the recall is not related to safety concerns. The potency of the children's H1N1 vaccine (6-35 months old) was slightly below the “specified” range. There are no safety concerns with these lots of H1N1 vaccine. All lots successfully passed pre-release testing for purity, potency and safety. While parents are advised that they do not need to take action, they are urged to take their young children to receive the H1N1 booster shot that is indicated for this age group. The vaccine in these lots is still expected to be effective in stimulating a protective response despite this slight reduction in the concentration of antigen. For more information visit the Center for Disease Control's website: cdc.gov.

12.15.09 Window Covering Safety Council Recalls to Repair All Roman and Roll-Up Blinds Due to Risk of StrangulationThe U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) annouced a voluntary recall to repair all Roman shades and roll-up blinds to prevent the risk of strangulation to young children. This recall involves millions of Roman and roll-up blinds. About five million Roman shades and about three million roll-up blinds are sold each year.

CPSC has received reports of five deaths and 16 near strangulations, since 2006, in Roman shades and three deaths, since 2001, in roll-up blinds. Strangulations in Roman shades can occur when a child places his/her neck between the exposed inner cord and the fabric on the backside of the blind or when a child pulls the cord out and wraps it around his/her neck. Strangulations in roll-up blinds can occur if the lifting loop slides off the side of the blind and a child’s neck becomes entangled on the free-standing loop or if a child places his/her neck between the lifting loop and the roll-up blind material.

Consumers that have Roman or roll-up shades in their homes should contact the WCSC immediately at www.windowcoverings.org or by calling (800) 506-4636 anytime to receive a free repair kit.

To help prevent child strangulation in window coverings, CPSC and the WCSC urge parents and caregivers to follow these guidelines:

Examine all shades and blinds in the home. Make sure there are no accessible cords on the front, side, or back of the product. CPSC and the WCSC recommend the use of cordless window coverings in all homes where children live or visit.

Do not place cribs, beds, and furniture close to the windows because children can climb on them and gain access to the cords.Make loose cords inaccessible.If the window shade has looped bead chains or nylon cords, install tension devices to keep the cord taut.

12.08.09 Infant Suffocation Deaths Prompt Recall of Amby Baby Motion Beds/HammocksThe U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Amby Baby Motion Beds announced a voluntary recall of about 24,000 Amby Baby Motion Beds. The beds were sold at Ambybaby.com and other internet retailers from January 2003 through October 2009 for about $250.

The side-to-side shifting or tilting of the hammock can cause the infant to roll and become entrapped or wedged against the hammock’s fabric and/or mattress pad, resulting in a suffocation hazard. Amby Baby is aware of two infant suffocation deaths in the Amby Baby hammock. In June 2009, a 4-month-old girl in Lawrenceville, Ga died in a baby hammock and in August 2009, a 5-month-old boy from Gresham, Ore.

Consumers should immediately stop using the Amby Baby motion beds/hammocks and contact Amby Baby USA for a free repair kit. Parents and caregivers are urged to find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Contact Amby Baby USA toll-free at (866) 544-9721 between 9 a.m. and 5p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.ambybaby.com. For photos and additional information, visit the CPSC.

11.23.09 Stork Craft to Recall More Than 2.1 Million Drop-Side CribsThe U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in cooperation with Stork Craft Manufacturing Inc., of British Columbia, Canada, today announced the voluntary recall of more than 2.1 million Stork Craft drop-side cribs, including about 147,000 Stork Craft drop-side cribs with the Fisher-Price logo. The recall involves approximately 1,213,000 units distributed in the United States and 968,000 units distributed in Canada. The cribs were sold at BJ’s Wholesale Club, J.C. Penney, Kmart, Meijer, Sears, USA Baby, and Wal-Mart stores and online at Amazon.com, Babiesrus.com, Costco.com, Target.com, and Walmart.com from January 1993 through October 2009 for between $100 and $400.

The cribs’ drop-side plastic hardware can break, deform, or parts can become missing. In addition, the drop-side can be installed upside-down, which can result in broken or disengaged plastic parts. All of these problems can cause the drop-side to detach in one or more corners. When the drop-side detaches, it creates space between the drop-side and the crib mattress. The bodies of infants and toddlers can become entrapped in the space, which can lead to suffocation. Complete detachment of drop-sides can lead to falls from the crib.

CPSC urges parents and caregivers to immediately stop using the recalled cribs, wait for the free repair kit, and do not attempt to fix the cribs without the kit. They should find an alternative, safe sleeping environment for their baby. Consumers should contact Stork Craft to receive a free repair kit that converts the drop-side on these cribs to a fixed side. For additional information, contact Stork Craft toll-free at (877) 274-0277 anytime to order the free repair kit, or log on to www.storkcraft.com For photos and additional information, visit the CPSC.

11.09.2009 Maclaren USA Recalls 1 Million Umbrella StrollersThe U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Maclaren Strollers have recalled about one million strollers. This includes models Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller because of the stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller. The strollers were sold at Babies ‘R’ Us, Target and other juvenile product and mass merchandise retailers nationwide from 1999 through November 2009 for between $100 and $360.

Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled strollers and contact Maclaren USA to receive a free repair kit. For additional information, contact Maclaren USA toll-free at (877) 688-2326 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.maclaren.us/recall. For photos and additional information, visit the CPSC at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10033.html

8.27.09: Baby Jogger City Mini Strollers Recalled by Baby Jogger LLCThe U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Baby Jogger LLC have recalled about 41,000 “Baby Jogger City Mini Strollers” because the stroller’s restraint buckle could break or unlatch allowing the child or infant to fall out. The jogger was sold at juvenile products stores, mass merchandisers, and department stores nationwide and on various Web sites including www.amazon.com from November 2007 through July 2009 for between $220 and $400.

Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled strollers and contact Baby Jogger to receive a free replacement restraint buckle and installation instructions. For additional information, contact Baby Jogger at 877-506-2213 between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET, email the firm at recall@babyjogger.com, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.babyjogger.com For photos and additional information, visit the CPSC at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09334.html